Kyocera, in partnership with US Cellular launched what continues to disprove that smartphones are all over the place. For those still not sold on the entry-level Android smartphone buck, particularly those who are too outdoorsy to care about any of the "smart" features, the two introduced the DuraPro. Built in the flip (clam-shell) form-factor, the phone is rugged enough to meet US military 810G standards, meaning it can function in extreme weather conditions, and resist rainfall.

Running a custom software by Kyocera, the phone features little more than a color screen, a 3.2-megapixel camera, a micro-SDHC card slot, and a long-lasting battery. Its UI is said to be optimized to be highly readable, using big clear fonts. The phone is nominally priced at US $149.99, but one can avail a $50 mail-in rebate if purchased before February 28, sending its price down to $99.99.

"For those who work and play outdoors in varying weather and climates, the Kyocera DuraPro is an ideal device to help you stay connected to people and information wherever you are," said Edward Perez, vice president of sales and marketing operations for U.S. Cellular. "At U.S. Cellular, we want to provide a better wireless experience, and our customers can rely on this phone to keep working even in extreme conditions."